Fiji military says security concerns have eased

The Fiji military says the security situation has improved and that is why it has pulled soldiers out manning the road checkpoints set up after it staged a coup last December.

The military has handed the checkpoints over to police, though the emergency regulations remain in force.

A military spokesperson, major Neumi Leweni, says the military won't be far away.

"It simply means that there are no more weapons there at the checkpoint and it is only the police carrying out their normal routine, because police usually set up checkpoints when the need arises. There is still room for us to assist the police when the need arises. It's got to be a gradual thing."